Rocky Mountain National Park: Colorado Road Trip (09.27-28.2011)

We spent a couple of days at Rocky Mountain National Park. We drove Trail Ridge road in and hiked the Green Mountain Trail to look for moose (no sightings, boo). Camped at Moraine Park and hiked the loop to Cub lake. The next morning we visited Bear Lake and hiked Flattop Mountain. Our original plan was Longs Peak but a recent storm left it covered in a dangerous layer of ice. Next time, I guess.
Trip ReportGreen Mountain Trail MapCub Lake Loop MapFlattop Peak Map

We stayed in Grand Lake, CO Monday night and drove into Rocky Mountain National Park on Tuesday morning. It was early and we hoped for some wildlife. A ranger recommended this trail for possible moose sightings so we took off with our cameras.

After a mile and a half we got to Big Meadow. No moose. Booo.

A nice meadow - reminded me a bit of Lyell canyon in Yosemite.

Some fall color through the windshield.

Getting higher - we drove Trail Ridge Road through the park.

Colorful aspen grove

Beautiful blue sky at altitude.

At the 12k visitor center. Elk herd below.

Elk.

Elk.

Elk.

Elk.

View from the 12k Visitor Center along Trail Ridge Road

Mmm thin air.

Gore Range - labels

Names...

...and the view

Names....

And the view.

Longs Peak in the distance. We were considering climbing it the next day but a recent storm had coated it in enough ice that it sounded not fun.

Pika! These guys were everywhere. Possibly the cutest animal in the world.

High rocky mountain Tundra.

Highest pass we've ever been able to drive over. 12k+

Tundra trail. Nice view. Beautiful sky. thin air.

Longs Peak - the only 14er in Rocky Mtn National Park.

At the end point of the Tundra trail. Yosemite is only 770 miles away!

Aspens along Trail Ridge Road.

Checking into the campground. The deer were visiting.

We were camping at Moraine Campground during the elk rut. They were really noisy.

In the afternoon we did a loop hike to Cub Lake. The fall colors were beautiful.